Brings New Product Line Serving Network Installations

Providence, RI - August 17, 1998 - Textron Inc. announced today the acquisition of Datacom Technologies, a $10 million-in-sales manufacturer of cable test instruments used in installing and servicing information technology networks. Terms were not disclosed.

Datacom will become part of Rockford, Illinois-based Greenlee Textron, a market-leading manufacturer of top-quality tools and products serving installers and technicians in the electrical contracting and utilities industries.

"Datacom is a great example of Textron's 'bolt-on' acquisition strategy in action, complementing and enhancing growth opportunities for an existing core business," said Textron Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Herb Henkel. "Datacom's test instruments bring us a fast-growing product line that can immediately be distributed into new and existing markets," he added.

Greenlee Textron will market Datacom's products through its global network of 4,000 distributors. "Datacom's products serve the Data-Signal-Voice market and they are a natural extension of Greenlee's product line," said Barclay Olson, president of Greenlee Textron. "One of our key customer groups, electrical contractors, is rapidly expanding into network installations. This acquisition enables us to offer a new solution to serve these customers' needs, while opening the door to a new market for Greenlee," he added.

Based in Everett, Washington, Datacom employs approximately 75 people. The company's products are sold to network wiring contractors, technicians, service representatives and administrators. Its test instruments are used worldwide to certify the quality of information network cables.

Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) is a $10.5 billion, global, multi-industry company with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and Finance.